Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. For the thirteenth time in NFL history, two of the greatest quarterbacks of this generation got together to duke it out this Sunday afternoon in Foxboro, MA. Like a heavyweight title fight, expect these two legends to go back and forth all evening.
It would be Manning who got the ball first after his Broncos won the coin toss. Just as no. 18 began to drive his team down the field, defensive back Sterling Moore would force a fumble on young Denver receiver Demaryius Thomas to give the ball to the Patriots. Unfortunately for the 66,000-plus fans in attendance at Gillette Stadium, Tom Brady wasn't able to lead his offense to a score on their first possession, either.
After converting a huge 3rd & 8 in the red zone with a nine-yard pass to former Bronco Brandon Lloyd, the Patriots would score the game's first touchdown. Brady would find an open Wes Welker for an eight-yard score to give New England a 7-0 lead with three minutes to go in the quarter.
As the game's opening quarter came to a close, the Broncos were in the midst of a drive deep into Patriots' territory.